With this year’s STiQ Day taking place on 14th January, we want to make sure that you know about two of the most common STIs in the UK, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

If you are worried that you may have contracted an STI over the festive period, or if you have never been tested before and want to put your mind at ease, you can purchase a LetsGetChecked at-home sexual health test from LloydsPharmacy.com. It’s important to remember that up to 80% of STIs2 can show no symptoms, which in some extreme cases can lead to infertility. That’s why we recommend getting tested, it’s an simple way to stop you worrying.

Chlamydia:

With over 200,000 positive chlamydia diagnoses recorded in 20163, this is one of the most infectious STIs in the UK. Many people who have Chlamydia don’t show any signs of it, which can lead to an increased likelihood of it being spread to another individual.If chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Chlamydia symptoms in women include abnormal vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, painful periods, abdominal pain with fever, pain when having sex, and pain when urinating. For men, symptoms can be small amounts of clear or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis, painful urination, burning and itching around the opening of the penis, pain and swelling around the testicles.

Gonorrhoea:

Gonorrhoea, informally known as the “clap”, is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This STI is infectious and easily spread during sexual intercourse. Like chlamydia, not all people who are infected with gonorrhoea show symptoms, so knowing when to seek treatment can be tricky.

Symptoms in women can include; green/whitish discharge from the vagina, pelvic pain, burning when urinating, spotting after intercourse and swollen glands in the throat after oral sex. For men, symptoms can include green/whitish discharge from the penis, burning when urinating, painful or swollen testicles and swollen glands in the throat.

How to Get Tested?

A recent poll by YouGov found that almost half of young people, 16 to 24 year olds, will not use a condom the first time they have sex with a new partner. These recent results combined with the fact that many STIs can by symptomless may have created a false sense of security amongst the British public. Keeping on top of your health is important, including your sexual health; especially when entering a new relationship.

If you are worried and want to get tested, visit our home testing page and select the appropriate LetsGetChecked at-home STI test. LetsGetChecked will provide you with the means to test yourself from the comfort of home and our medical team will provide you with guidance and support. There are three different tests to choose from: